Directors and Producers
Comprehensive Sites
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Actors, Producers, and DirectorsA host of information is available at this page, provided by the U.S. Department of Labor. You can connect directly to details on the nature of the work of a director or producer or find out information on job outlook and projections for the future. If you would like to know more about related occupations, you can click on those links or connect to a variety of related theatrical resources.
CareerOneStop: Producers and DirectorsYou can select related content for any state you choose and view an occupation description, wages for the area or nationally, employment trends, and tools and technology needed. A career video is available directly from this page which describes the varied types of jobs available, abilities needed, and general work activities for each.
CareerZone: ProducersThis career in the arts is described in terms of your interests, the job responsibilities, skills and knowledge needed, and considerations for your education leading towards a career as a producer. Click on the icon(s) you choose for college selection, or connect to information on wages, outlook, and job resources.
Princeton Review: Television ProducerAn overview of the day in the life of a television producer is presented at this page and followed by information on college courses that you should take and associated careers. If you click on “quality of life,” you will find details on what to expect after several years on the job. You will also find links to important college majors for this profession, graduate programs nationwide, possible internships, and a career search engine.
Occupational Titles
Director – Stage, Motion Picture, Television, Radio
Producer
Program Director
Talent Director
Technical Director/Manager
Accredited Academic Programs
CareerInfoNet: Producers and DirectorsThe list at this site displays more than 60 institutions that offer programs for students wishing to pursue directing and producing across theatre, television, and film. You can change the state selection and obtain a printer-friendly version of the list.
FilmSchools.comA film school directory lets you choose your state and brings you directly to a list of academies, institutes, and academic programs in film.
National Association of Schools of TheatreOver 100 colleges and conservatories are accredited by this institution, which specializes in recognizing standards for education in the entertainment industry.
Salary Levels
Indeed.com: ProducerSearch national listings of job postings at this page, drawn from a variety of direct employers and job boards.
PayScale: Producer-DirectorMedian salary by school name is listed at this page, which will also instantly connect you to salary charts organized by city, employer type, industry, years of experience, age, and major or degree earned.
Professional Organizations
Directors’ Guild of AmericaRecognizing directorial achievement, this organization offers websites for its members; a variety of sample contracts, forms, and agreements; news from the industry; and multimedia galleries. Publications, exclusive to the art of directing, are available, including in-depth articles and profiles of members and their projects.
Producers’ Guild of AmericaSupporting leadership in the entertainment industry, this organization offers resources for those interested in all aspects of motion picture, new media, and television production. Find out about industry news, answers to your questions about production, and connect to important related websites.
Society of Motion Picture and Television EngineersAdvancing the development of motion picture imaging, this site offers you the opportunity to participate in educational programs and communicate with a network of like-minded people. Live interactive educational web casts can be viewed from the education connection for members of the organization. The student membership link brings you to information on discounted student rates, as well as information on subscriptions you would receive as a member, participation in student chapters, and opportunities for scholarships and awards.
Job Opportunity Sources
FilmSchools.com: Film Career GuidanceThe links at this site include information on careers, jobs, and salaries in film, as well as opportunities for selecting a film school, degrees you can earn, and other resources for film students.
ShowBizJobs.comA professional network of entertainment employers, this site maintains a list for job seekers that can be searched by keyword, job type, and salary. Simply select “production” or other job category and browse by company, posting date, and specific theatre sub-industry. You can also post your resume for potential employers to view.
Publications
Entertainment WeeklySpecial coverage at this page includes links to popular television show information, film festivals, award shows, and the industry “A-list.” You can view exclusive photo galleries at this site, connect to video interviews, or access one of nine major headline departments in movies, television, music, and new media. Complete film coverage allows you to view festival exclusives.
Nielsen Media ResearchResources for journalists and students of production are available from this site, including information on internships for recent graduates. Behind the scenes information of Nielson includes a variety of audience measurement tools, reports, and ratings of interest to those in the production of entertainment.
Online Forums & Blogs
Filmmaking ForumFilmmaker forum is for novices to established filmmakers interested in joining an online discussion community. Virtual discussion rooms include calls for entries in film festivals, independent films, film financing, and a classified board.
Producers Guild of AmericaClick on the registration link at the top of the screen to join in discussions among members on experiences of directing and producing regarding federal and state incentives.
Career Videos
Careers in Filmmaking: Segment OneCareers in filmmaking and digital media are presented at this video by an organization which encourages video storytelling of filmmaking and production tools. The video is the first in a series of five and interviews a group of directors and producers in a local film industry. The related videos in the series can be viewed by clicking on the selections in the list.
Careers in Filmmaking: Segment ThreeBackground and education needed for breaking into the film industry are discussed in this segment of panelist interviews. You can listen to each person describe individual background and history that led to work in feature films.
Careers in Filmmaking: Segment TwoAccess this second in a series of videos on directing and producing in the film industry and hear from the panelists on why they chose their careers.
CollegeGrad.com: Producers and DirectorsFrom producer, to director, to actor, an overview of show business is presented in this video. Learn how directors interpret plays, scripts, and direct the work of the cast and crew, as well as how they exercise control of the total finished product. The job of producers is also discussed, including how they earn their pay.
